Scrubtown Sinkhole, Day 2

The near vertical sides of the sinkhole necessitated that the trash be pulled up with ropes.  Here we see in the hole OSFR treasurer Cindy Noel, volunteer Shannan Elise, OSFR events director Rhonda Long, who organized the OSFR portion, and President Mike Roth.

Merrillee first drew this health hazard to the attention of groups who were able to do something about it.  Here she is in the thick of it deep in the hole.

Today, Sat. Nov. 10 was the second day of work to clean the giant sinkhole on Scrubtown Rd. off CR 778 south of Old Bellamy Rd, north of High Springs in Columbia County.

A long line of volunteers’ cars.

On Nov. 10 about 15 thousand pounds of trash was removed from the 90 ft deep sinkhole, and about the same today.  This has been a local dump spot for decades, used by everyone from local residents to commercial builders wishing to avoid a dump fee at the county dump.

Columbia County prepares to haul off the dumpster, with another waiting to be placed.

Columbia County charged for accepting the trash, but did provide dumpsters.  Kudos go to Roger’s Tire in Alachua for taking many of the dozens of tires removed from the hole.  And to Tire Mart of Lake City for tires from today.  Boone Construction of Lake City provided a bush hog to clear a road to another access point on the sink, where a great deal of trash remains to be pulled out.  Thanks go also to Pepperoni’s, Tony & Al’s, and to Rhonda, Randy and Walter for providing pizza.

Wayne Kinard of Amigos Dive Center

This photo is misleading, as very little time was spent relaxing.  Here we see Kristin Rubin and Rhonda Long, both OSFR board members, and Megan Black of Current Problems.

First drawn to attention by OSFR board member Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, the cleanup was hosted by Current Problems and co-sponsored by OSFR.  Wayne Kinard of Amigos Dive Center on Old Bellamy Road provided equipment, manpower and logistics.

This sink goes directly into our aquifer, meaning this trash is in our drinking water.  Mattresses, oil, refrigerators, toilet bowls, wire, construction debris, rugs, bottles, kerosene, automobile cylinder heads, TVs, computers, fiberglass insulation, boards and more.

Thanks go to all the hardworking volunteers who donated their efforts to help clean up our water.